Pre-Christmasness

Today’s my last day at work before my Christmas vacation. I leave for NC in the morning, and won’t be back till Thursday. I feel like a kid: when I woke up this morning, I had that exact same surge of glee that we used to get on the last day of school before the holidays. Remember? Yeah, me neither. But I feel good today.

My mood might have something to do with watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” last night with 10 14-year-olds who hadn’t seen it before. Nothing like making teenagers cry to put you in the holiday spirit. (Legal aside: this site does not condone making teenagers cry as a general rule; don’t try it at home.) Plus, I’ve been decorating gingerbread men, which I haven’t done since I was a kid, with Tim and Aunt Marie.

It’s been a good week for other reasons as well. First, my doctor figured out that I’ve been overmedicated since July, so he cut my dosage of Paxil in half. This has made my brain a little crazy. I’m getting used to it, but for the past 3 days I’ve felt like I’ve had a really good buzz, with none of the nasty side effects like nausea and falling down. Now it just comes in flashes — I liken the feeling to my mind skipping grooves, like a record, or turning over uneasily like a bad swimmer in deep water (not an original phrase, but a favorite). Much fun and hijinks.

More fun: I’ve had bonding moments with several of my dearest friends this week. Greg came into town for business and took me out to dinner — man, I love it when that happens, especially when crusted Chilean sea bass topped with crabmeat and a blood orange and shallot sauce is involved. Um. I was going somewhere this this…oh yeah, bonding moment. Greg hugged me on a busy streetcorner and said, “You’ll always have a blank check with me.” Happiness reigns. And then last night, after the kids left, Debbie and I prayed together and talked of cabbages and kings. Nights like that make the world go round, and keep friendships going…

Hope you all have moments like that in the next few days. No matter what’s going on in your life, no matter how worn out you get by the rampant commercialism, this season is all about hope, and making an excuse to tell people you love them. Try it, it’s fun. 🙂